1. Listen to the Podcast or Watch the Show
This seems self-explanatory, but I’m always surprised to hear the number of guests who do not research a podcast or show before pitching the host to be a guest on it. Rather when they pitch (and I know this from those who pitch me to be a guest on Janette’s TV and Janette’s TV Podcast), they ask what the format of my podcast and show is, or what kind of show it is, etc.
If you’re accepted to be a guest on any podcast or show, you’re being promoted by that podcast and show and put in front of their audience. That’s an honor! So, do yourself a favor, and take the time to watch or listen to the other kinds of guests the host has had on, what kinds of guest they feature, topics they cover, what the host’s interview style is, what questions they normally ask, and how you might be able to differentiate yourself.
2. Offer a Hook or Angle
Consider your pitch. What’s your unique value proposition? Why does this host even want to have you on their podcast/show, using a precious 30 minutes to an hour of their life talking to you?
If you’re lucky, the host will have invited you to appear on their show. In this case, the host will likely have an idea of what they want you to cover and how it will affect their audience.
If, on the other hand, you’re out there hustlin’ and bustlin’, pitching yourself for a podcast/show appearance (as most entrepreneurs and professionals are), you’ll need to make what you are uniquely qualified to do very clear.
In your pitch letter, try to offer this in two sentences or less, something like this:
I am looking forward to explaining the power that virtual assistants can have on growing a business and getting out of your own way. I’m excited to share some ideas about how your audience can find, hire, and train a VA quickly and efficiently… without losing their minds.
Not only will this impress your host, but it will help them develop questions that you can effectively answer. No one wants to be stumped on a podcast/show interview!
3. Provide Your Bio and Headshot
Whether we like it or not, not all podcast/show hosts are like ME and will have read this blog post and be completely prepared to have you on their podcast/show. Or, they won’t have stellar research skills and won’t be able to find your latest headshot and bio.
To avoid any confusion or any outdated information, offer up your host your latest headshot and a short bio. It will help them introduce you, can be included in show notes, and will save everyone any embarrassment of sharing information that’s no longer accurate.
4. Invest in a Good Microphone or Headset
You’d think this one would be a no-brainer, but again, you’d be surprised at how many people are like, “I want to be on your podcast/show!” And then are like, “Wait, how does the internet work?”
Look, pod and webcasting are generally all done with VOIP tools like Skype or Zencastr, which require a stable internet connection (wired if possible) and a good quality input. Content Creators/Producers like ME can only do so much if you sound muffled, staticky, or if you’re blowing out your microphone.
Now, some of this is on the host to let you know how you sound when you join the podcast/show – which is why I always do a sound check before I push record and provide 90 minutes of PREP On-Camera Training as well as send PDF’s with instructions of how to set-up your back ground, do a Split Screen interview and what to wear on-camera, but a lot of issues are avoidable if you buy a Yeti microphone or a USB headset. Avoid the Bluetooth for best results.
5. Ask What You Can Do
Your best way to be an amazingly ready to be a guest on any podcast or TV show might be to simply ask what your host needs from you. Maybe there are some special recording instructions or tools, a giveaway, or perhaps there are a few questions that they always like to ask (which you should be aware of if you’ve listened or watched a few their previous episodes), or maybe the host needs you to write a short blog post to go in the show notes.
While it is usually up to the guest to make the host’s life easier, I do things in reverse and make my guests lives easier. It starts well in advance of their scheduled Janette’s TV/Janette’s TV Podcast interview shoot date with 90 minutes of Media/On-Camera Training PREP with me where I internalize their message/story, devise timed-out, customized interview questions & answers that cover their sound-bites and talking-points (and can be used over and over again for other podcasts and TV shows), review their body language, voice techniques, image/wardrobe, brand, and much more. So, all they need to do is focus on delivering a freakin’ awesome interview and shining in the spotlight.